RI, Mozambique Sign MOU On Coop In Women's Empowerment

Jakarta, Dec 7 (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Mozambique have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in women`s empowerment. Women`s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Linda Gumelar and her Mozambican counterpart, Minister of Women and Social Action Iolanda Cintura, signed the MoU as a follow-up of the 4th Ministerial Conference on the Role of Women in the Development of OIC Member States, held at Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Jakarta on Thursday. "This MoU was signed after some negotiations with the Mozambican ambassador to Indonesia, and then with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the mainstreaming of women`s empowerment in the two countries," Gumelar stated. The main objective of the MoU, she said, was to step up women`s empowerment efforts in both countries through training and exchange programs. "This cooperation is not only for the benefit of Mozambique, but also for Indonesia. It is about what we can learn from each other," Gumelar explained. She added that the MoU would be in effect until 2014. On the occasion, Minister Cintura praised Indonesia for successfully hosting the conference "due to which many bilateral meetings between OIC member states were possible". "Signing this MoU is a significant step for Mozambique in its efforts to build and strengthen women`s empowerment within the country," she said. "Cooperating with Indonesia through training and exchange programs will indeed help us develop in this area," Cintura added. During the three-day conference, held from December 4-6, Gumelar held bilateral meetings with Iran, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Republic of Mali, and several other OIC member states.